Anthony Bourdain
The complete Mover & Shaker collection inspired by Anthony Bourdain's life and work.
I fell in love with Anthony Bourdain watching his show with my father growing up and rekindled that flame with my partner rewatching Parts Unknown and No Reservations over the last several years.
This collection embodies some of my favorite quotes, sentiments and is designed to honor his enduring spirit and what it means to work in the hospitality industry whether you work in a restaurant or bar or are just an enthusiast.
We miss him because he was common. He was eggs scrambled, a half-buttoned work shirt, nondescript boots, and a bowl of soup. We regard him as a titan because he reminded us of what binds us together, and what hope can do to an industry always in pursuit of better.
His orders were always impressive because he ordered the way we do when sharing a table with staff or with friends: "What are you excited about? We'll take all of it."
He didn't travel to build us a list of places. In the scenes where he sat alone, there was always a narration, a journaling of how the day was filled or a longing for what came next. He was in pursuit of meaning, of discovery, of connection. The programs were never "what ingredients can I sew together to make a dish"; they were "what people can I bring together to help amplify this chorus?"
When we share what's on a table, it builds a foundation; it puts us all at the same level. "Can you pass the gravy?" becomes a pathway to open dialogue. It says: I am with you, I'm here for you, we are in this together.
It takes a common man to find commonality, but it takes true and raw talent to show it back to us. There may never be another him, and that's alright.
"If I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move. As far as you can, as much as you can.
Across the ocean, or simply across the river.
The extent to which you can walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food, it's a plus for everybody.
Open your mind, get up off the couch, move."
- Anthony Bourdain
Do yourself a favor and pop this on when you're feeling uninspired or just need a pick-me-up:
Kitchen Confidential - Narrated by Anthony Bourdain
Medium Raw - Narrated by Anthony Bourdain
